Total Fasting

Personal health - Health notebook

August 3, 1993

Total fasting as a form of medical treatment of severe obesity was recommended at one time. However, it is now considered usually ineffective and possibly risky. Fasting does result in a rapid initial weight loss. However, most of that loss is in fluid and minerals; there's no evidence that it cleanses the body of toxins.

People who lose weight through fasting rarely maintain their loss, and some may even sustain injury.

For someone in good health, a one-day fast poses no dangers. But fasting for more than two or three days may hold risks and should be undertaken only under medical supervision.